Durgā Navārṇa Mantra Empowerment
Mantra Initiation was given as a blessing to those present in Floyd Virginia in September, 2015. This page provides instructions for those who have received the mantra empowerment for the practice of the Durgā Navārṇa Mantra. We ask that you please do not discuss your practice with anyone. If you have questions or concerns about your practice, please email info@somamatha.org. May the Goddess protect you and bless you in your practice.
Preliminaries
It is important for people performing the higher practices of Yoga like Mantra and Meditation to be practicing the yamas and niyamas of Yoga. These practices help a person to prepare to face and release the inner attachments which arise through practice. People are bound by karma and attachments and kept from the experience of the divine Self. In order to tap into the super-conscious capacity of the soul a person must bring up the subconscious attachments, thoughts, and feelings and observe them with detachment to facilitate their release. This defies the nature of the body and mind as stated by the Yoga Sutras. "Union (Yoga) is the restraint of the mental activity (vrtti) natural to the mind.
Then the observer abides in his own nature.
Otherwise he is of the same form as the mental activity." It is a process of dissociating with the limited self (body and mind) and coming into the experience of the eternal Soul. This does not happen by controlling the thoughts and feelings in the mind, but by training oneself to sit still, to not respond, and to observe joyously. All created has sprung forth from the Divine Mother Durga. She dwells in all things and she transcends all that is. Everything in creation has sprung forth from Her love and contains Her divine nature. Yet the mind does not see the Goddess within or in others around and judges things to be good or bad. All things are good from a spiritual perspective. In practice, one comes to see this spiritual reality. Every person you meet is the embodiment of the Goddess herself. Every experience (whether painful or pleasurable) is a gift from the Goddess, capable of leading the wise seeker to deeper inner awareness and greater freedom from the bonds of karma. To progress in spiritual practice, a person must see the Lord in all people and situations and must take personal responsibility for their own pain and troubles.
The Sacred Agamas have given this advice for those who have received initiation: "Do not blame the Lord. Do not blame your Guru or the Scriptures. Do not blame the practice. Do not disrespect a sacred image of God and do not even tread on the shadow of the shivalangam (an Icon of God)."
The Sacred Agamas have given this advice for those who have received initiation: "Do not blame the Lord. Do not blame your Guru or the Scriptures. Do not blame the practice. Do not disrespect a sacred image of God and do not even tread on the shadow of the shivalangam (an Icon of God)."
The Practice
The practice consists of three simple steps which will take about 20 minutes to complete, once you learn the practice. These steps are listed here and described in detail below. It is better to practice a little each day, even if this requires abbreviating the practice.
Pūjā (Worship)
We teach a simple pancha puja of five offerings which takes only 5-10 minutes to perform after sett-up is complete. If it is not possible to complete the full puja, at least try to light a ghee or oil lamp, or a candle, and pray to the Goddess before you practice the mantra.
Mantra Japa (recitation)
Sit and repeat the mantra 108 times aloud while looking at a photo of the Goddess. You can also practice the mantra silently at other times throughout the day.
Dhyāna (meditation)
After mantra practice, we recommend sitting silently for 5-10 minutes.
Pūjā (Worship)
We teach a simple pancha puja of five offerings which takes only 5-10 minutes to perform after sett-up is complete. If it is not possible to complete the full puja, at least try to light a ghee or oil lamp, or a candle, and pray to the Goddess before you practice the mantra.
Mantra Japa (recitation)
Sit and repeat the mantra 108 times aloud while looking at a photo of the Goddess. You can also practice the mantra silently at other times throughout the day.
Dhyāna (meditation)
After mantra practice, we recommend sitting silently for 5-10 minutes.
Pūjā (Worship)
Puja (worship with offerings) is a great way to attract Divine assistance and to empower one's practice. The pranas (the subtle nutrients) of the puja offerings (or the oil or ghee) are restructured by the Devas to send healing energy to the physical realm. Such offerings can greatly empower ones practice by facilitating Divine assistance. Special offerings like sandalwood and kumkum (red powder) and special arathi lamps for offering light can be puchased at Indian stores or online. We provide the text for an abbreviated pancha puja consisting of five simple offerings. We have CD's available to help learn the mantras.
Here is a list of what you need a cup and spoon (pancha patra and udharini) for offering water; flowers, leaves, grass, or raw rice; sandalwood powder (which is made to a paste by adding water) and kumkum (red powder), incense sticks and an incense burner, a ghee lamp, wicks, and oil or ghee, or camphor and a camphor lamp, or a candle; and food offerings (fruits, nuts, or meatless, eggless, sweets are best).
॥ दुर्गा पञ्च पूजाम्॥ || durgā pañca pūjām || Worship of Goddess Durgā with Five Offerings
(Sip water for purification. Then rinse the hands.)
॥ सङ्कल्पः॥ || saṅkalpaḥ || Statement of intent to perform puuujaa
(Hold rice and flowers in your hand, and offer it saying kariṣye)
ॐ ममो-पात्त समस्त दुरितक्षय-द्वारा श्री परमेश्वरी प्रीत्यर्थं। अस्मिन् शुभ तिथौ। यथा शक्ति। श्री दुर्गा पूजां करिष्ये।
om mamo-pātta samasta duritakṣaya-dvārā śrī parameśvarī prītyarthaṁ | asmin śubha tithau | yathā śakti | śrī durgā pūjāṁ kariṣye |
(rinse your hands for purification)
ॐ अप उपस्-पृश्य॥
om apa upas-pṛśya ||
॥ आवाहनम्॥ || āvāhanam || Invocation
(Hold a flower to your heart and meditate on the Goddess there. Then invoke the Goddess into the staue or photo, offering the flower to the Goddess, saying āvāhayāmi)
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दुर्गा-देवीं आवाहयामि।
स्थापयामि॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
durgā-devīṁ āvāhayāmi |
sthāpayāmi ||
॥ गन्धन्॥ || gandhan || Sandalwood and kumkum
(Offer a dot of sandalwood paste on the third eye point of the Goddess saying dhārayāmi. Offer a smaller dot of red kumkum powder in the dot of sandalwood saying samarpayāmi. Sandalwood and kumkum can be bought online or at Indian stores and can be worn as a blessing after the puja.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दिव्य गन्धान् धा॑रया॒मि।
गन्ध-स्योपरि हरिद्रा-कुङ्कुमं समर्पयामि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
divya gandhān dhā̍rayā̱mi |
gandha-syopari haridrā-kuṅkumaṁ samarpayāmi |
॥ पुष्पम्॥ || puṣpam || Flower
(Offer a red flower saying samarpayāmi. Raw rice, leaves, grass, or other flowers could be offered if red flowers are not available. After the puja, these are taken to a natural place where people will not walk on them.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
पुष्पैः पू॑जया॒मि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
puṣpaiḥ pū̍jayā̱mi |
॥ अर्चनम्॥ || arcanam || - 9 Praises / Names
(Offer a flower or pinch of rice to the Goddess with each name.)
ॐ ब्राह्म्यै नमः।
ॐ माहेश्वर्यै नमः।
ॐ कौमार्यै नमः।
ॐ वैष्णव्यै नमः।
ॐ वाराह्यै नमः।
ॐ माहेन्द्र्यै नमः।
ॐ चामुण्डायै नमः।
ॐ महा-लक्ष्म्यै नमः।
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः॥
om brāhmyai namaḥ |
om māheśvaryai namaḥ |
om kaumāryai namaḥ |
om vaiṣṇavyai namaḥ |
om vārāhyai namaḥ |
om māhendryai namaḥ |
om cāmuṇḍāyai namaḥ |
om mahā-lakṣmyai namaḥ |
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ ||
॥ धूपम्॥ || dhūpam || Incense
(Ringing a bell, offer insence before the Goddess waving in 3 clockwise circles.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
धूपं आघ्र॑पया॒मि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
dhūpaṁ āghra̍payā̱mi |
॥ दीपम्॥ || dīpam || Light
(Ringing a bell, offer a ghee lamp, oil lamp or camphor lamp in front of the Goddess, waving in 3 clockwise circles. A metal lamp with a bowl is used to burn oil or ghee using pure cotton wicks. Special lamps are also made for burning camphor, and are available at Indian stores. After offering light, blessings are received through the flame by holding the finger tips for a moment over the flame and then touching the finger tips to the closed eyes).
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दीपं दर्शयामि॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
dīpaṁ darśayāmi ||
॥ नैवेद्यं॥ || naivedyaṁ || Food offering
(Circle water in a spoon around the food and then sprinkle it saying bhūr bhuva suvaḥ. Then hold a flower (or simply use your hand) and waft the subtle nutrients of the food toward the Goddess with a smooth motion with your arm six times as you say svāhā. Offer betel nuts and / or leaves for digestion, saying tāmbūlam... (if you do not have betel nuts, simply skip this step). Food offered should be pure, vegetarian food. Alcohol, meat or eggs should not be offered. Best offerings include fruits, nuts, milk, or eggless sweets.)
ॐ भूर् भुव स्सुवः।
ॐ प्राणाय स्वाहा।
ॐ अपानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ व्यानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ उदानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ समानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ ब्रह्मने स्वाहा।
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।
ताम्बूलं निवेदयामि॥
om bhūr bhuva ssuvaḥ |
om prāṇāya svāhā |
om apānāya svāhā |
om vyānāya svāhā |
om udānāya svāhā |
om samānāya svāhā |
om brahmane svāhā |
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
naivedyaṁ nivedayāmi |
tāmbūlaṁ nivedayāmi ||
॥ सर्व उपचार॥ || sarva upacāra || Offering all offerings and praises
(Hold namaskāra mudrā as you mentally offer all praises and offerings to the Goddess and pray that she be pleased by your worship.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
सर्वोपचारं समर्पयामि॥
अनेन ध्यानेन।
श्री दुर्गा-देवीः प्रियताम्॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
sarvopacāraṁ samarpayāmi ||
anena dhyānena |
śrī durgā-devīḥ priyatām ||
(Before completing the pūjā take a moment to pray for the Goddess' grace. You may wish to pray for specific concerns and desires and also for friends and family. It is best to not request specific results, but always to offer your concerns and desires at the Holy feet of the Goddess and let Her do what is best. Once you have offered your prayers to the Goddess, try to leave them with Her, having faith that She is working to answer your prayers. If you do not have any concerns or desires, simply take a moment to praise and thank the Goddess for Her grace.)
॥ विसर्जनम्॥ || visarjanam || Valadiction / Dismissal
(Take a flower from the Goddess' feet, smell it and hold to your heart, visualizing the Goddess returning to her seat in your Heart.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
यथा स्थानं प्रतिष्ठापयामि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
yathā sthānaṁ pratiṣṭhāpayāmi |
(Hold namaskāra mudrā and pray for the peace of the world)
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Here is a list of what you need a cup and spoon (pancha patra and udharini) for offering water; flowers, leaves, grass, or raw rice; sandalwood powder (which is made to a paste by adding water) and kumkum (red powder), incense sticks and an incense burner, a ghee lamp, wicks, and oil or ghee, or camphor and a camphor lamp, or a candle; and food offerings (fruits, nuts, or meatless, eggless, sweets are best).
॥ दुर्गा पञ्च पूजाम्॥ || durgā pañca pūjām || Worship of Goddess Durgā with Five Offerings
(Sip water for purification. Then rinse the hands.)
॥ सङ्कल्पः॥ || saṅkalpaḥ || Statement of intent to perform puuujaa
(Hold rice and flowers in your hand, and offer it saying kariṣye)
ॐ ममो-पात्त समस्त दुरितक्षय-द्वारा श्री परमेश्वरी प्रीत्यर्थं। अस्मिन् शुभ तिथौ। यथा शक्ति। श्री दुर्गा पूजां करिष्ये।
om mamo-pātta samasta duritakṣaya-dvārā śrī parameśvarī prītyarthaṁ | asmin śubha tithau | yathā śakti | śrī durgā pūjāṁ kariṣye |
(rinse your hands for purification)
ॐ अप उपस्-पृश्य॥
om apa upas-pṛśya ||
॥ आवाहनम्॥ || āvāhanam || Invocation
(Hold a flower to your heart and meditate on the Goddess there. Then invoke the Goddess into the staue or photo, offering the flower to the Goddess, saying āvāhayāmi)
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे।
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce |
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दुर्गा-देवीं आवाहयामि।
स्थापयामि॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
durgā-devīṁ āvāhayāmi |
sthāpayāmi ||
॥ गन्धन्॥ || gandhan || Sandalwood and kumkum
(Offer a dot of sandalwood paste on the third eye point of the Goddess saying dhārayāmi. Offer a smaller dot of red kumkum powder in the dot of sandalwood saying samarpayāmi. Sandalwood and kumkum can be bought online or at Indian stores and can be worn as a blessing after the puja.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दिव्य गन्धान् धा॑रया॒मि।
गन्ध-स्योपरि हरिद्रा-कुङ्कुमं समर्पयामि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
divya gandhān dhā̍rayā̱mi |
gandha-syopari haridrā-kuṅkumaṁ samarpayāmi |
॥ पुष्पम्॥ || puṣpam || Flower
(Offer a red flower saying samarpayāmi. Raw rice, leaves, grass, or other flowers could be offered if red flowers are not available. After the puja, these are taken to a natural place where people will not walk on them.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
पुष्पैः पू॑जया॒मि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
puṣpaiḥ pū̍jayā̱mi |
॥ अर्चनम्॥ || arcanam || - 9 Praises / Names
(Offer a flower or pinch of rice to the Goddess with each name.)
ॐ ब्राह्म्यै नमः।
ॐ माहेश्वर्यै नमः।
ॐ कौमार्यै नमः।
ॐ वैष्णव्यै नमः।
ॐ वाराह्यै नमः।
ॐ माहेन्द्र्यै नमः।
ॐ चामुण्डायै नमः।
ॐ महा-लक्ष्म्यै नमः।
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः॥
om brāhmyai namaḥ |
om māheśvaryai namaḥ |
om kaumāryai namaḥ |
om vaiṣṇavyai namaḥ |
om vārāhyai namaḥ |
om māhendryai namaḥ |
om cāmuṇḍāyai namaḥ |
om mahā-lakṣmyai namaḥ |
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ ||
॥ धूपम्॥ || dhūpam || Incense
(Ringing a bell, offer insence before the Goddess waving in 3 clockwise circles.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
धूपं आघ्र॑पया॒मि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
dhūpaṁ āghra̍payā̱mi |
॥ दीपम्॥ || dīpam || Light
(Ringing a bell, offer a ghee lamp, oil lamp or camphor lamp in front of the Goddess, waving in 3 clockwise circles. A metal lamp with a bowl is used to burn oil or ghee using pure cotton wicks. Special lamps are also made for burning camphor, and are available at Indian stores. After offering light, blessings are received through the flame by holding the finger tips for a moment over the flame and then touching the finger tips to the closed eyes).
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
दीपं दर्शयामि॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
dīpaṁ darśayāmi ||
॥ नैवेद्यं॥ || naivedyaṁ || Food offering
(Circle water in a spoon around the food and then sprinkle it saying bhūr bhuva suvaḥ. Then hold a flower (or simply use your hand) and waft the subtle nutrients of the food toward the Goddess with a smooth motion with your arm six times as you say svāhā. Offer betel nuts and / or leaves for digestion, saying tāmbūlam... (if you do not have betel nuts, simply skip this step). Food offered should be pure, vegetarian food. Alcohol, meat or eggs should not be offered. Best offerings include fruits, nuts, milk, or eggless sweets.)
ॐ भूर् भुव स्सुवः।
ॐ प्राणाय स्वाहा।
ॐ अपानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ व्यानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ उदानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ समानाय स्वाहा।
ॐ ब्रह्मने स्वाहा।
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।
ताम्बूलं निवेदयामि॥
om bhūr bhuva ssuvaḥ |
om prāṇāya svāhā |
om apānāya svāhā |
om vyānāya svāhā |
om udānāya svāhā |
om samānāya svāhā |
om brahmane svāhā |
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
naivedyaṁ nivedayāmi |
tāmbūlaṁ nivedayāmi ||
॥ सर्व उपचार॥ || sarva upacāra || Offering all offerings and praises
(Hold namaskāra mudrā as you mentally offer all praises and offerings to the Goddess and pray that she be pleased by your worship.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
सर्वोपचारं समर्पयामि॥
अनेन ध्यानेन।
श्री दुर्गा-देवीः प्रियताम्॥
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
sarvopacāraṁ samarpayāmi ||
anena dhyānena |
śrī durgā-devīḥ priyatām ||
(Before completing the pūjā take a moment to pray for the Goddess' grace. You may wish to pray for specific concerns and desires and also for friends and family. It is best to not request specific results, but always to offer your concerns and desires at the Holy feet of the Goddess and let Her do what is best. Once you have offered your prayers to the Goddess, try to leave them with Her, having faith that She is working to answer your prayers. If you do not have any concerns or desires, simply take a moment to praise and thank the Goddess for Her grace.)
॥ विसर्जनम्॥ || visarjanam || Valadiction / Dismissal
(Take a flower from the Goddess' feet, smell it and hold to your heart, visualizing the Goddess returning to her seat in your Heart.)
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः।
यथा स्थानं प्रतिष्ठापयामि।
om duṁ durgāyai namaḥ |
yathā sthānaṁ pratiṣṭhāpayāmi |
(Hold namaskāra mudrā and pray for the peace of the world)
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Mantra Japa (recitation)
for the Navārṇa mantraḥ of Goddess Durgā
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥
om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce ||
This mantra comes from the Devī Māhātmyam, "The Glory of the Goddess." It holds the power to avert enemies, magic, the effects of the 9 Planets, karma, misfortune, disease, accidents, and troubles of all sorts. It bestow wisdom, protection, and bliss. It simultaneously removes excess pride and insecurities. It removes ignorance and attachment as it brings about clear perception and direct perception of the Divine. Regular practice of the mantra attracts the grace and protection of the goddess.
The meaning of the mantra is:
om - The cosmic sound of the Universe
aiṁ - Relates to Goddess Sarasvatī. It gives wisdom and dispells āṇava pāśa, the bond of being limitted by ignorance.
hrīṁ - Relates to Goddess Lakṣmī. It gives protection and dispells karma pāśa, the limitation of actions and consequences arising from ignorance.
klīṁ - Relates to Goddess Kālī. It attracts Divine grace and inspires Love for the Divine. It dispells māyā pāśa, the bond of the world, which arises from karma.
cāmuṇḍāyai - Is a name for Goddess Durgā, meaning She who slayed the demons Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa (who symbolize excess ego and pride (Chanda) and insecurity and timidity (Munda).
vicce - Seperate (vic) me from Ignorance and make me pure (ce). And grant me knowledge (vic) and clear perception of reality (cit).
Instructions for recitation
Sit with the spine and neck straight. If possible look at an image of the Goddess Durga as you practice, or close your eyes and visualize the Goddess in the mind's eye. Recite the mantra 108 times. This could be counted on a japamala (rosary), or you could chant along with an audio recording available on CD. It is best to recite the mantra aloud as to help prevent the mind from becoming distracted. Do not rush. It is better to say less repetitions of the mantra if you are pressed for time, than to rush. To say 108, slowly and deliberately will take only about ten minutes. It is better to do a little sitting practice each day, if possible (even if this is less than 108). Then throughout the day at other times, you may wish to practice the mantra silently as you work, walk, or practice Yoga. Of course the mantra is a wonderful tool to use to help you process difficult situations.
Dhyānam (meditation)After the practice of a mantra, it is useful to sit silently for a few minutes. This practice helps a person integrate the energies of the mantra and to ease the process of release that occurs during practice. During practice, thoughts and feelings arise from the subconscious mind. If a person can sit with these as they arise, and observe them with detachment, this facilitates their easy release. If a person does not sit with these feelings, they may begin to experience certain difficulties - which help to bring awareness to the thoughts and feelings which are revealed through practice. This can be described as a quickening of the karmas. Through practice, the karmas of a lifetime can be faced and resolved very quickly. This can be done in one's meditations, or in the world. We encourage people strongly to take a few minutes, at least, to sit after mantra practice to help ease this process. Simple instructions for meditation are given below.
Instructions for Meditation Sit silently with the spine and neck straight. Focus on the picture of Goddess Durga. If possible, close your eyes and visualize the Goddess' image in your mind's eye. As you sit feel the healing energy of the mantra and know that the grace of the Goddess is with you. As you sit, be aware of any feelings, physical sensations, or thoughts that arise. Simply observe them, keeping your focus on the Goddess' image and a little bit on any thoughts or feelings that arise. If you realize that you have lost your focus on the Goddess, patiently bring your focus back. Be patient and gentle, but firm with your mind as you train it to sit, like teaching a child. Open yourself to the deepening awareness of the Goddess and your increasing awareness of your subtle body and inner thoughts and feelings. Practice being comfortable with the experience. Everything is good. It is all by the Goddess' grace. |
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If you have questions or concerns about your practice, please feel free to email us at info@somamatha.org. It is our duty to help support you in your practice as possible, since you have learned this practice from us. We strongly advise that not talk to anyone about these. It can be confusing and misleading to seek advise in a spiritual practice from people who do not know enough about the practices to advise. Many people will offer their advice, when they do not have proper understanding of the practice. Their worlds will only confuse and discourage you in your practice. For this reason, also, we discourage people from discussing their experiences with the practice with anyone.
May Goddess Durga bless and protect you in your practice. Hari Om.
May Goddess Durga bless and protect you in your practice. Hari Om.
